The index, which is calculated every other year, compares countries based on the cost of things like food, drink, clothing, rent, transportation, and utility bills.

It's designed to help companies figure out how much to compensate employees who are working overseas.

Some of the world's cheapest cities, like fourth-ranked Damascus, Syria, are also among the most dangerous. This list shouldn't be considered a guide for people who are looking to save money by moving overseas — try this list of places where expats can live for cheap instead — but rather as a look into the cost of living in places far away from home.

All prices listed are from the Economist's World Cost of Living Index. Mandi Woodruff contributed to an earlier version of this article.